Building information modelling may make everything better, but most firms don’t want to use it. But that might change now the government plans to make it compulsory on all public projects. Stephen Kennett reports

Not many technologies can point to a global financial meltdown as their saviour. But building information modelling just might. Earlier this month Paul Morrell, the government’s chief construction adviser and the man tasked with improving the return on taxpayers’ investment, indicated that the government intended to adopt building information modelling, or BIM, for the procurement and management of public assets. Morrell is convinced the technology could unlock new ways of working that will reduce cost and add long-term value to the development and management of public sector buildings.

Monday, 25 October 2010

Peter McCarthy is an Architectural Technician based in London in the UK with a passion for detailing (including 3D detailing) and member ofLRUGthe London Revit User Group. He started his blog Revit Detailon Friday 1st January 2010 stating that:-

“Over the next 12 months I plan to write and explain how to develop your architectural details and model them in Revit. I’ll run through analysis of the detail, modelling the basics, modelling the advance parts, adding the 2D detail for final touch-ups and more. This is to help all new Revit users, students learning architecture and to develop the general knowledge base in the Revit community.”

It appears his intention was“ to see if a whole project could be done in about 15 (half hour) videos so that you could download them all and watch them in a single sitting of one day at work.”However it ended up as 23 videos, which is approx 10.5 hours worth of footage.

On Saturday 16th October 2010 Peter posted his central model for the project, 23 Videos and a nice 39 page booklet on how to Render in Revit. So he actually ended producing more in less time!

This is a very valuable Revit resource for new and existing revit users, and I would like to thank Pater for the time and effort he has put into producing these videos.

This is the same full version software that over 9 million designers, engineers and digital artists are using at 100 percent of Fortune 100 companies in over 183 countries around the world. Experience the newest editions of 2D and 3D products, such as Autodesk® Inventor®, Autodesk® Revit®, Autodesk® 3ds

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies download of the software. The products, programs and other information contained on this page may not be available in all geographies..

Friday, 22 October 2010

Recently I’ve been asked by a number of technicians who are victims of the current economic climate due to the loss of government spending on construction etc. etc. about learning Revit to enhance their CV and improve their skill set, in order to make them more employable. So here is a re-post about the Autodesk Assistance Registration programme.

Autodesk can help you get back in the game. With the Autodesk Assistance Program you can take action today to gain a competitive advantage in your field. The program offers:

ClassroomTraining: Many Autodesk Authorized Value Added Resellers and Autodesk Training Centre (ATC®) partners are offering classroom training at their facilities at a discounted price for Autodesk Assistance Program members. (Offers vary by partner, please check with your local ATC or Reseller to get details)

Certification: Certification preparation and exams available at discounted rates through Autodesk Authorized Certification Centres (Offerings will vary, please check with your local CertificationCenter to get details)

Software Discounts: Commercial product discounts are available for select products exclusively for Autodesk Assistance Program members, or employers that hire them. Contact your local Autodesk Authorized Value Added Reseller for more information about this and other programs. (approval by an Autodesk Territory Manager is required)

Seize the opportunity now. Don’t just survive, thrive!

*Free products MAY NOT be used for commercial, professional or other for-profit purposes, and are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies the software. A copy of this agreement can be found here.

To learn more about the program and included benefits, download the Autodesk . Assistance Program FAQ

For firms that must reduce their workforce, the Autodesk Assistance Program can help. The program is designed to help displaced employees in the Architecture, Engineering, Design and Manufacturing industries update their skills and improve their employability in a down economy.

Download this 1-page flyer as a handout during exit interviews, or to share with those that may benefit from the program.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Alias Autodesk Inventor, ATC, Civil 3D, Ecotect, Inventor, Maya, Navisworks, Revit, Showcase, SketchBook, Robot, Algor, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, Softimage and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

I've been hearing that an ERUG Edinburgh Revit User Group was about to spin off from the GRUG Glasgow Revit User Group for a little while.

Well now they have made it official.

A linked-in Group has been constructed and the first two committee members Michael Boyd (Structural) & Kelvin Donaldson are requesting that any other enthusiastic individuals join them to move this group forward.

Monday, 4 October 2010

.Last week on Thursday 30th September, I attended the Autodesk BIM Conference 2010 at Links Place in London.

There were speakers from Autodesk, John Lorimer Director of Manchester City Council, Architects, Structural and Civil Engineers, John Tocci, CEO, Tocci Building Companies (from the USA) there were representatives from the Institutions and then there was Paul Morrell

Who Is Paul Morrell? I hear you ask

To give him his full title it’s Mr Paul Morrell OBE FRICS HonFRIBA, UK Chief Construction Advisor to the UK Government. He was previously senior partner of construction consultants Davis Langdon, and also former deputy chair of the Commission on Architecture in the Built Environment (CABE).

He is a very eloquent and humorous speaker who puts his point across very distinctly. The image I have used is very Hitch Hikers Guide like (An in-joke for those that attended the conference and are of a certain age or should I say vintage).

Like the Earth in the Hitch Hikers Guide, Paul Morrell could be described as “Mostly Harmless”, however his message will mean changes on the way that those not already using Revit or BIM software will have to work in the future.

He indicated that Building Information Modelling (BIM) will become a key part of the procurement process of public buildings in the future, saying:-

“I am convinced that this is the way to unlock new ways of working that will reduce cost and add long-term value to the development and management of built assets in the public sector, but the move needs to be made on a basis that is secure, that works for Government clients and those who deliver services to them, and which draws on proven means of integrating the supply chain,”

A trial team is currently testing the use of BIM in government projects and will report its findings to the Construction Clients Board in March. Paul Morell said that he hoped that the report would “mark the beginning of a commitment to a timed programme of transformation”.

Autodesk vice-president, Phil Bernstein.said: “We believe that yesterday’s recommendation to UK government construction procurers will drive industry change, just as similar decisions by the government have in the US,” and “We also believe that these clear incentives will encourage the use of BIM methodology by government and the wider construction industry. They will provide better value for construction spend while enhancing environmentally responsible building design, construction and operation.”

So there you have it boys and girls, it looks as if the UK Government are following the USA with regards to IPD and BIM.

As regular visitors to my blog know I like to see what is new on YouTube and post links here so you guys don't have to search and get taken down all the other stuff you tube connects too. So here are some new videos uploaded by Autodesk Building's Channel , Enjoy......

Sunday, 3 October 2010

The results of the Revit Structure Wish List voting held during August 2010 are presented below. The Points column totals the votes for a particular wish by giving a wish six points for each first-choice vote, five points for each second-choice vote, etc. through one point for each sixth-choice vote.

The First Choice column indicates how many first-choice votes a wish received.

The Score column normalizes the Points total for a wish by dividing it by the number of voters so that the popularity of a wish can be compared across voting cycles even though the number of voters in each cycle would differ.

Below are the Top Five AUGI Revit Structure Top of the Pops, "How's about then Guys and Girls, that we give Glenn Jowett of Revit ST a big round of applause for getting in at number 5 in the hit parade, with "Tag in 3D View"" (OMG I'm turning into Sir Jimmy Saville!)